NFL Boilers: Orton may start; Week 16 notes

Kyle Orton might get his first start in two seasons Sunday.

With Tony Romo likely out the season, according to various media reports Tuesday morning, Orton could get the call for Dallas' home clash with Philadelphia. The winner is NFC East champs and gets a ticket to the playoffs.

"He played the quarterback position the way it's supposed to be played," Dallas coach Jason Garrett told ESPN.com. "He's very prepared. He's an experienced guy. He throws the football very well. He's smart, he's tough, he's accurate. He understands what you're trying to do on offense. He understands defenses. He knows where the ball needs to go. He has a poise and a calmness and a composure about him of a veteran player."

Orton has won 35 of his 69 career starts, after Chicago made him a fourth-round pick in 2005. But it's been since the end of the 2011 season, with Kansas City, that he has started a game.

Following that 7-3 win over Denver, he signed a free agent contract with the Cowboys, of three years, $10.5-million. It made him one of the best backups in the league.

Shaun Phillips signed for only $1-million in the offseason, but already he's nearly doubledClick Now, Dallas will have to cash in on its insurance policy. Here to view this Link. that salary in Denver.

The following is a look at the NFL Boilers, their roles and their Week 16 statistics.

Tennessee Titans (6-9, 20-16 win at Jacksonville; host Houston at 1 p.m. Sunday)

Carolina Panthers (11-4, 17-13 win over New Orleans; play at Atlanta at 1 p.m. Sunday)

Dallas Cowboys (8-7, 24-23 win at Washington; host Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m. Sunday)

Denver Broncos (12-3, 37-13 win at Houston; play at Oakland at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

Green Bay Packers (7-7-1, 38-31 loss to Pittsburgh; play at Chicago at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11, 20-16 loss to Tennessee; play at Indianapolis at 1 p.m. Sunday)

New England Patriots (11-4, 41-7 win at Baltimore; host Buffalo at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

New Orleans Saints (10-5, 17-13 loss at Carolina; host Tampa Bay at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

New York Giants (6-9, 23-20 OT win at Detroit; host Washington at 1 p.m. Sunday)

Philadelphia Eagles (9-6, 54-11 win over Chicago; play at Dallas at 8:30 p.m. Sunday)

San Diego Chargers (8-7, 26-13 win over Oakland; host Kansas City at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

Seattle Seahawks (12-3, 17-10 loss to Arizona; host St. Louis at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

Tampa Bay (4-11, 23-13 loss at St. Louis; play at New Orleans at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

Washington Redskins (3-12, 24-23 loss to Dallas; play at New York Giants at 1 p.m. Sunday)

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